A mission in growth: The opening of the MDO Office in Madagascar

A mission in growth: The opening of the MDO Office in Madagascar

A mission in growth: The opening of the MDO Office in Madagascar

A mission in growth: The opening of the MDO Office in Madagascar

A mission in growth: The opening of the MDO Office in Madagascar

A mission in growth: The opening of the MDO Office in Madagascar

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Sr. Florentine Raharinirina, Madagascar (District of The Isles)

“May your eyes be open day and night to this house…” 2 Chr 6:20a

To further the reach and impact of our mission across the three islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, and Reunion, a new Mission Development Office (MDO) for the District of The Isles was officially opened on January 16, 2025.Les

The date was selected to coincide with the anniversaries of the founding of the Amparibe Community in Madagascar and the approval of the Generalate in 1835.

The opening of this new MDO for the Congregation is the culmination of months of work which has been supported by Good Shepherd International Foundation. The new MDO will work closely with local communities, partners, and volunteers to identify areas of need and develop sustainable solutions to address these challenges.

On the morning of the inauguration, the new MDO team was joined by twenty sisters and partners-in-mission together with the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits, Fr. Rambatoson, who celebrated Eucharistic Mass and blessed the new team and the house.

During the homily, Fr. Rambatoson thanked the Congregation for this audacious endeavor, calling it “far-sighted and prophetic” given the alarming situation the country needs to address concerning poverty, corruption, drought, and environmental degradation.

The new Mission Development Office is located in Madagascar and spread over two floors. The ground floor includes a reception area and space for visitors, while the new MDO team will have their offices upstairs on the first floor.

New MDO Director Sr. Francette Malala Rakotonirina* spoke of how our global Mission Development Offices “are tools that the Congregation uses to bring about transformation in the lives of people around the world.” Speaking on the day of the opening celebration, she said, “This is a day of joy and hope for the future of the islands in these times when crises are present everywhere. The MDO will be a lamp shining in the darkness.”

Sr. Francette will work alongside two mission partners. Mrs. Fandresena, who has been working with the Congregation since late 2024, spoke about how she has been “encouraged by the welcome and openness of the community,” which has made her feel “at home.”

Miss Francia, who also joins the team, spoke about her hope for the future that “all projects developed in the MDO will be favorably received by donors; and that the Good Shepherd mission will flourish.

Both women praised the union that exists between sisters and partners-in-mission and spoke of how they looked forward to discovering more about the Good Shepherd mission as they support the mission to grow and spread to all regions of the islands. While Sr. Francette spoke of her wish that sisters and partners-in-mission be true collaborators in achieving the objectives of the office: to develop all of humankind.”

*read about Sr Francette’s internship with GSIF in 2024 here.

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